5 Common Household Products that Can Harm Your Skin

by
Kevin Link

There’s a lot more to skin care than just keeping skin moisturized and clean. Here are a few commonly used (or mis-used) products that could be sabotaging your skin’s health.

1. Pillow Cases – Yep, one of the biggest culprits in break-outs and wrinkle creation may be lying right under you while you sleep. Over the course of the week your pillow case collects dead skin, bacteria, dust, make up, drool, skin cream, hair oil, and anything else that might’ve made it on your face. Then you rub your face in it. For eight hours a night.

Dermatologist David Bank, a professor of dermatology at Columbia University/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, says that you should wash your pillow case one a week if not more. And while you’re at it, throw the top sheet in too. It’s also suggested that you invest in a silk pillowcase. Silk is hypoallergenic, doesn’t leave wrinkles, won’t pull moisture from your face (unlike cotton or polyester), and it contains some amino acids found in many of today's moisturizers. Plus, it’s just really comfy.

2. Dairy – For years people have considered milk a healthy source of essential vitamins and mineral, but recent research suggests a dairy-heavy diet could aggravate skin conditions such as acne and accelerate ageing. Today’s milk is full of hormones that are actually pro-inflammatory and also contains chemicals like iodine that have also been linked to break-outs. In 2005 Dr Walter Willett of Harvard’s School of Public Health conducted a study on female acne sufferers’ eating habits and found that women where 22% more likely to break-out if they drank at least two glasses of milk a day, and 44% more likely if they drank more than three. If you want to lower your dairy intake, consider alternatives such as soy or rice milk for daily use and splurge on cheese and butter in moderation.

3. Chewing Gum – Even if you aren’t popping big sugary bubbles all over your face, chewing gum can eventually cause skin problems. While sugar-free chewing gum can boost your oral hygiene, it doesn’t do a whole lot of good for your skin’s appearance and longevity. Hours of constant chewing (especially with your mouth politely closed) can stress and stretch skin. Slowly support tissue within your skin breaks down, and the result is a loss of skin volume and elasticity that leads to sagging or wrinkle-prone skin around the mouth. So, next time you need a dental boost on-the-go, opt for mouthwash or breath mints.

4. Phones – Long calls aren’t only bad for your phone bills, they can also lead to some ugly break-outs. Landline phones are handled by a lot of people and are rarely wiped down, and mobile phones are constantly touched, put down on unclean surfaces, and then stuffed into dark purses and leg-warmed pockets. All of this makes for a gnarly collection of dirty, oily, and bacteria covering these hunks of plastic we put against our faces.

According recent study by Stanford University, there are typically eighteen times more types of living bacteria on mobile phones than toilet handles, including nasty stuff like E. coli and drug resistant Staphylococcus. Experts suggest people invest in hardware safe wipes, anti-microbial screen covers, and designate a clean cloth or towel to put their cells on between calls. As silly as it sounds, your skin and immune system will thank you.

5. Hair Spray – People who use hair sprays to get that perfect look and hold may do so at the cost of bad skin. Even a light misting of the sticky stuff can accumulate on skin leading to clogged pores and gummy build-up. Plus, the chemical heavy formulas of some hair sprays can dry out skin and lead to a flaky scalp if left in for too long.

If your hair style requires a little extra strength, be sure to cover your face with a towel before applying it, and always remember to wash your face and hair at the end of the day. Avoid hair sprays containing harsh chemicals like ethanol, and opt for non-aerosol brands with additives like Vitamin E, which is good for your hair and skin.

Want more skin tips or interested in exploring new solutions to skin issues? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our skin care specialists.